Airlines Add Fuel Surcharges to Fares

Several major U.S. airlines have added new fuel surcharges, amounting to a $20 increase on round-trip fares. Continental Airlines Inc. said it started adding the surcharges Thursday to counteract the effects of surging fuel prices. The charges, which come on top of previous surcharges tacked on in January, were quickly matched by AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc. and UAL Corp.’s United Airlines, representatives of those airlines said. The January surcharge was also $20 round-trip or $10 each way. The airlines also have raised posted fares twice since then. A 21-day advance purchase, round-trip flight between Washington and San Diego was still posted at $685. But an additional $40 surcharge would be added on Continental, Delta, United, or American on top of the listed fare. Airline fares are highly competitive and the new round of surcharges would be unlikely to hold up if not matched by Northwest Airlines Corp. Northwest officials could not immediately be reached for comment.